Guide to Assembling a Complete BMX
Acquiring a complete BMX bike means most components are pre-assembled. However, to accommodate packaging in a suitably sized box, the handlebars, pedals, and front wheel are left unattached.
If you adhere to the instructions in the video alongside the steps outlined below, putting together a complete BMX bike is straightforward. Your new complete BMX will be assembled swiftly!
Assembling the bike yourself offers a chance to thoroughly acquaint yourself with it. As an enthusiastic BMX rider, there's nothing more satisfying than caring for your new bike before your first ride.
Essential Tools for Assembling a Complete BMX Bike
Only a few tools are required to commence.
- Allen keys
- Spanners
- 15 mm open-ended spanner for pedals
- Air pump
Explore our range of BMX Tools - We’ve got everything you need!
Step-by-Step Guide - Unboxing and Assembling a Complete BMX
Begin by removing all plastic and foam, then unpack everything, ensuring that nothing is missing from the box.
Initial assembly phase
- Lubricate the pedal bolts.
- Identify the left and right pedals.
- Rotate the right pedal clockwise and secure it with a spanner.
- Rotate the left pedal anti-clockwise and fully secure it with a spanner.
- Loosen the stem bolts.
- Take out the stem faceplate.
- Add grease to the stem bolts.
- Attach the handlebar.
- Position the faceplate over the stem, ensuring the knurled section of the handlebar is centred within the stem.
- Secure the stem bolts in a cross pattern - at this point, fully tightening the faceplate is unnecessary.
- Loosen the top cap/compression bolt with an Allen key.
- Align the handlebars with the fork.
You’re now prepared to install the front wheel:
- Almost entirely unscrew the front axle nuts to create space for the fork dropouts.
- Tighten the nuts manually.
- Completely secure the nuts with a spanner.
- Insert the BMX seat into the seat tube, lubricating the inside of the clamping area may ease future removal of the seat post.
- Secure the seat clamp with an Allen key.
Upon seating installation, you can refine the handlebar and fork alignment while seated on the bike. This simplifies achieving precise adjustments:
- Align the bar with the fork - the front wheel serves as your guide.
- Secure the top cap/compression bolt with an Allen key.
- Finish securing the stem using a cross pattern, meaning you consistently tighten the bolt diagonally opposite to the one you last tightened.
- Confirm an even spacing between the stem faceplate and the stem itself - it's vital that the faceplate is evenly tightened.
Before you engage in some biking, verify a few final points:
- Examine the chain - if it shifts by more than 2 centimetres, it is excessively loose - this can be corrected by loosening the wheel and pulling it backward until the chain is suitably tight.
- Ensure all nuts and bolts are firmly secured.
- Inflate the tyres to the recommended pressure (noted in PSI on the tyre's side).
- Detach the valve cap and attach the pump.
- Inflate the tyre and replace the valve cap.
- Repeat on the opposite wheel.
- You’re now set to go!
Browse our comprehensive selection of complete BMX Bikes.
For more detailed brake mounting instructions, refer to: How to Mount a BMX Brake.